Helsinki-Tallinn Innovation Bridge :

Helsinki-Tallinn Innovation Bridge 1. Some postulates
Successful development of the future society will heavily depend on of the new innovations
Most of the new innovations will depend on the quality of education, science and technology transfer
Since small countries usually lack specialists to cover all areas special focus and concentration is needed

Helsinki-Tallinn Innovation Bridge :

Helsinki-Tallinn Innovation Bridge 1. Some postulates
Helsinki and Tallinn are relatively small in global comparisons, but are larger together
The natural resources are limited (energy, natural materials etc).
General level of education is high or very high
Psychological readiness for new technologies is very high

Helsinki-Tallinn Innovation Bridge :

Helsinki-Tallinn Innovation Bridge :

Helsinki-Tallinn Innovation Bridge Biomedicine
Biotechnology
Fusion of IT and Biotech

Future of science and biotechnology :

Future of science and biotechnology Role of science in society increases
Funding of science increases
Structure of the science funding increases
Technology transfer will be faster
Science will be more interdisciplinary
Keywords of science will be more and more –
QUALITY AND FLEXIBILITY

Future of biotechnology :

Future of biotechnology Rapidly changing areas:
Research and use of stem cells
Developing principally new drugs based on the understanding of pathogenesis mechanisms
Major focus is in cancer and neurodegenerative diseases
Understanding brain functioning
Systems biology
Joining IT and Biotech

2. Important components of innovations :

2. Important components of innovations :

2. Important components of innovations Education
Both cities are small and have limited number of specialists – cooperation and integration is very important
Harmonization of the educational programs is important
Promoting bilateral student exchanges

2. Important components of innovations :

2. Important components of innovations Education
Helsinki University of Technology and Tallinn Technical University have started collaboration and harmonization of the educational programmes
Other universities should follow this example
Finnish system of graduate schools offers a unique opportunity for new collaboration
Needs goodwill and bilateral support

2. Important components of innovations :

2. Important components of innovations Science
Bilateral evaluation of research
Possible special funds for joint programmes
Joint centres of excellence in focused areas
Helsinki is strong in many areas, but Tallinn is quite strong in some areas – biotechnology, information technology, material science in several areas of basic science

Institute of Biotechnology :

Institute of Biotechnology Helsinki Science Park
Research scientists and technicians 1500 (2500 in the year 2003)
University faculties: 4
University campuses: 2
Total floor area over 200´000 sq.m. (mostly academic) (over 340´000 sq.m year 2010) (mostly business)
Companies: 43 (250 employees – March 2001), in the year 2006: 100-150 companies and up to 2000 employees

Biotech Companies in Finland :

Institute of Biotechnology :

Science and Technology ParksHave started well in Helsinki areaAre in the central focus of the city of HelsinkiIs there a room for collaboration with Tallinn?Tallinn companies as part of the Helsinki Science Parks – a possible way to Russia and Baltic countries? :

Science and Technology ParksHave started well in Helsinki areaAre in the central focus of the city of HelsinkiIs there a room for collaboration with Tallinn?Tallinn companies as part of the Helsinki Science Parks – a possible way to Russia and Baltic countries?

Technology transfer :

”Bridge Over Troubled Water” :

”Bridge Over Troubled Water” Innovations at the University Product on the Market National Technology Agency = TEKES Finnish National Fund for Research & Development = SITRA Helsinki Science Park Ltd Licentia Ltd Biotech Start-Up Companies

Technology transfer :

Technology transfer Problem – Tallinn has not yet good ”instruments” for technology transfer
There are several possible strategies:
Licentia OY and similar companies could also operate in Tallinn
Investment funds and SITRA could approach Tallinn organisations
City of Helsinki may share very valuable experience

Neurogenerative diseases – a common and very serious problem :

Neurogenerative diseases – a common and very serious problem About 2-4% of the population is already suffering
The problem is exploding, since the population is aging and general healthcare is improving
Will be a major problem for the future society
In most cases (dementia, Alzheimer, Parkinson etc.) we do not have effective drugs

The structure of Estonian Genome Project Founation :

Legal Backround :

Legal Backround Human Genome Research Act (HGRA)
Passed by Parliament on December 13, 2000
Inforce since January 08, 2001
HGRA regulates
scientific research on human genetics
the use of genetic information (informed consent)
HGRA protects
the confidentiality of gene donor
the public from the misuse of genetic information
the gene donor from genetic discrimination

Legal Backround :

Legal Backround General principles of HGRA include
voluntary participation in genetic research studies
confidentiality of gene donor
gene donor’s right to apply for destruction of his/her data
gene donor’s right to know his/her genetic data
gene donor’s right not to know his/her genetic data
the institution of the Ethics Committee

Objectives for EGP in Estonia :

Objectives for EGP in Estonia Creation of the national health and DNA database of the population.
Better healthcare delivery – short term benefit
Application of personalized diagnosis and treatment methods to achieve better service at lower cost in the health-care sector
Better healthcare availability – long term benefit
Development of local IT-based gene technology and health sector infrastructure
Economic benefits (lower costs, jobs, investment, education, etc.) – short and long term
Estonia’s goals for the EGP are to enhance medical care and economic opportunity for its population by forming ethically clear and well-defined partnerships

Public Opinion about EGP (September 2001) :

Public Opinion about EGP (September 2001) 62% of the Estonian population is informed about the Project
40% of the informed people are willing to become gene donors already now
The highest level of support is among the age group of 25-49
More information is to be made available to Russian-speaking population
Only 6% of the informed people do not support the Project